RALEIGH — One of the Republican candidates for the 13th Congressional District seat just won the lottery. Literally.
Two players matched all five numbers in the N.C. Education lottery Cash5 game with a total jackpot of $1.5 million. Each of the winners walks away with $757,777.
One of the winners is running for Congress: Dr. Josh McConkey.
“My family and I are beyond grateful for the lottery win,” McConkey told North State Journal via text message. “We are focused on doing everything we can to get out the vote ahead of the March 5th primary and hoping lightning strikes twice!”
The 13th District race is the most crowded of all congressional races this cycle and features 14 Republican candidates, including McConkey.
Following redistricting changes to the district, first-term Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel announced he would not seek reelection but instead insinuated he would be challenging North Carolina Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026.